'Summer Slam' slows traffic through San Gabriel Valley

Traffic moved slowly but steadily through the San Gabriel Valley Saturday during the first weekend of a major road resurfacing project dubbed the "Summer Slam."

Under the heavily publicized construction plan, crews shut down the three right lanes of a mile-long stretch of the westbound 60 Freeway between Nogales Street in Rowland Heights and Fullerton Road in Industry at 10 p.m. Friday, according to Caltrans. Only two lanes remain available for westbound traffic on the freeway through the conclusion of the weekend closure about 5 a.m. Monday.

Additionally, workers planned to close all lanes of the westbound freeway in the same area from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. both Saturday and Monday to allow for the installation of concrete barriers.

Cars steadily made their way through the closure area Saturday morning, though at less than half of normal freeway speeds as crews tore up the roadway with tools ranging from hand shovels to large excavation equipment.

Caltrans officials said a 45 mph speed limit was being enforced in the construction zone. There was little chance of a speeding ticket, however, as traffic in the affected area did not appear to be picking up that much speed.

Though traffic on the westbound lanes reportedly backed more than a mile behind the closure early Saturday. But by early afternoon, CHP Officer Ed Jacobs said there was no significant backup to speak of due to the construction.

There were also no collisions reported during the first night and morning of the closure, according to the officer.

"It was pretty uneventful," Jacobs said.

Surface streets immediately surrounding the closure area were clogged with cars early Saturday as motorists detoured around the construction, with the aid of posted detour signs.

Westbound Colima Road, which appeared to be many driver's chosen route to avoid the closure, was jammed. At times, even the westbound 60 Freeway, with three lanes out of commission, provided a faster trip.

Traffic on the 10 Freeway through the San Gabriel Valley appeared only slightly above average as motorists used it as an alternate to the 60 Freeway.

"So far it's a little thicker, but it's nothing way out of hand," CHP Sgt. Greg Hamilton said Saturday afternoon.

A similar closure on the westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway is scheduled for July 26-29. Closures on the westbound side in the same area are also planned Aug. 9-21, as well as Aug. 23-26.

Once the project is completed, "The new surface will provide a smoother, safer drive for motorists, reduce time required for maintenance and minimize the need for further lane closures," Caltrans officials said in a written statement.

The construction is part of a larger, $121.5 million project to resurface the 60 Freeway in both directions between the 605 Freeway and the 57 Freeway. Work was expected to be completed in late 2014.